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[ 91 ] 



C oy>^ t H>ks e ,c °H)* ©*i tU*~ Pr s m 

OY\ C i v J 1 ^ I Xit<£ I <2 n fr i b e ^ , 

REPORT 




Of the Committee , /o w/wm was referred so much of the Pressidenth 
Message as relates to the civilization of the Indian tribes . 


January 15, 1819. 


Read, and ordered to lie upon the table. 


The Committee, to whom was referred so much of the President’s 

Message, as relates to Indian Aftairs, 

REPORT: 

That they have considered the subject to them referred, with 
that attention and solicitude, which the importance of it demands, 
both with regard to the peace and future happiness of those savage 
tribes, and the safety and permanent security of the citizens of the 

United States. 

Your committee have examined the several laws of the United 
States, from the commencement of the government to this time; the 
primary object of which, appears to have been to cultivate peace and 
amity with the Indian tribes on our frontiers, by establishing trad* 

. ing houses or pests convenient to their settlements so as to supply 
them with such articles of trade as their necessities required, in ex« 
change for their peltry and furs. 

This trade has been carried on for more than forty years, with 
alternate loss and gain. The sums of monev that have been appro¬ 
priated by the several acts of Congress, as a fund for carrying on said 
commerce, have amounted in the whole, to S 300,000, exclusive of 
the sum of $20,000, annually drawn from the Treasury of the Unit¬ 
ed States, for the payment of superintendent, agents, clerks, &c. 

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It is deemed unnecessary to exhibit a detailed and particular 
statement of the increase or diminution of the capital of this estab¬ 
lishment, at the respective periods at which they have taken place. 
It is sufficient to state, that previous to, and during, the late war with 
Great Britain, at the respective agencies in the whole, we sustained a 
los , bv the destruction and ravages of the enemy, to the amount of 
$44 538 36. After the the ratification of the treaty of peace with 
England, on the first of Aprils 1815, the value of the capital in 
stock, fur, and property, on hand, is stated to amount to $ 273,989 03. 
On the 30th of June, 1818, it is estimated at $ 308,536 37. The 
gain arising from the prosecution of the trade, from first of April, 
1816, to 30th of June, 1818, is $34,547 34. 

Although these establishments have been a pecuniary loss to the 
United States in some respects, yet no doubt is entertained, that on 
the whole, they have been of great advantage, not only on the score 
of humanity to the Indian tribes, but also in preserving the lives and 
property of our frontier inhabitants, which would otherwise, under 
the influence of foreign traders, been in hostile array against us, and 
no doubt, this policy has much weakened the power and force of those 
nations that have been at war with us. 

Notwithstanding the committee are sensible, that much good has 
been done by the partial system now in operation, they are induced to 
believe that it is susceptible of great improvement on the present plan. 
But from the importance of the subject, in its various bearings and 
consequences, we believe, that more extensive and energetic mea¬ 
sure sought to be adopted by government, to effect the humane and ben¬ 
evolent purposes of Congress, and meet the ardent wishes of the people 
of the United States, as manifested by the various memorials, pre¬ 
sented to the national legislature, and which has been referred to the 
committee. 

From these sources of information, which has be e n drawn from 
experimental knowledge of several religious societies,and associations 
of friends, who at their own expense, and by their unwearied exer¬ 
tions have done much to ameliorate the distressed condition of those 
wretched inhabitants of the forest, little, or no doubt remains of the* 
policy and practicability of improving the friendly Indians in agricul¬ 
ture, manufacture, education, and ail the arts of civilized life; and at 
the same time teach the hostile tribes that their safety, interest, and 
happiness will be promoted, by cultivating peace and amity with 
us. ' , 

Under the existing regulations, the United States have sustain¬ 
ed great injury, by foreigners, and improper characters having been 
licensed to trade on their own account, with little or no responsibil¬ 
ity to any government, and a kind of peddling traders, without li¬ 
cense, vending their wares and ardent spirits, not only to the great 
injury of the savages, but to the peace and safety of cur frontier in¬ 
habitants. 



3 


[ 91 ] 

Your committee have paid due attention to the report, of the 
Secretary of War, made the 8th day of December, in obedience to 
a resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 4th day of April 
last, and having consI3ered the system now in force, and compared 
it with the principles contained in said report, are of opinion that a 
more energetic and extensive system is necessary, to improve the va¬ 
rious Indian tribes, in agriculture, education, and civilization, and at 
the same time secure the interest and safety of the citizens ot the 
United States. In order to promote these desirable objects, the 
committee beg leave to report several bills. 



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